Saturday, January 24, 2015

The Next Stage of the Game

MARSHALL - On a recent Thursday afternoon, Nick Smith grabbed
rebounds, while Tramel Barnes fed the ball to a shooter on the 3-point
line. Even though both Smith and Barnes were standout players for the
Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs, they weren't playing in a game, they
were helping freshman Ryan Bruggeman with his long distance shooting
before practice
Barnes is in his first year as a full-time
assistant coach, while Smith is in his first year as a graduate
assistant. Barnes played for SMSU between 2011-13 and Smith suited up
between 2010-14.

Both of them knew that they wanted to coach even before their playing careers were finished.

Barnes
said coaching interested him in high school. He enjoys working with
kids and credits the coaches in his life for encouraging him to pursue
the field as a career

"In high school it was something that I
really liked. I've been fortunate enough to have some really good
coaches that have been in my life and mentored me," he said.
Smith
thought about coaching midway through his college career. He began to
take on my leadership responsibilities as a player. He worked on
becoming more vocal, something that he admitted was not his strong suit.

Smith has most enjoyed working with the players who aren't actually playing in the games this year.
"I
just love working with the guys, especially with the redshirts. Just
seeing them make gains in the weightroom and the court and as people
too. It's been a lot of fun so far," he said.

Both Smith and
Barnes started their coaching careers at SMSU because they were familiar
with coach Brad Bigler's style and they relished the ability to
continue learning from him.
"It's been a pretty easy transition
to some degree with knowing the system and knowing the guys, working
with coach Bigler. I think that's helped a lot. I've learned a lot and
still have a lot to learn when it comes to that," said Barnes.

Even
though they both knew the X's and O's, they had to learn the "behind
the scenes" work. In addition to helping players, they also get
equipment ready, organize camps, and speak with recruits. Barnes said
that was his "biggest adjustment."

SMSU is used to players
transitioning from the court to the sideline. Bigler has had at least
one former player on his staff in all but one of his six seasons as head
coach at SMSU. Bigler made that same transition as well.

Bigler noted that while it wasn't easy, both Barnes and Smith have adjusted well to their new roles.
"It's
a tough transition to have that separation with the guys, but also have
that voice that they respond to as well. Both of them take a lot of
pride in the program. And that's where we're thankful to have them. Both
of them will be outstanding coaches," said Bigler.

Smith said familiarity with the players has both positives and negatives.
"You've
been around the guys for so long, three maybe even four years. That was
tough, you can't necessarily hang out with them in the same way. You're
still good friends with them and maybe it helped me a little bit more
because I can talk with them more. They know where I'm coming from, so
that may help me in that respect a little bit," he said.

Current players have also had to acclimate to their former teammate's new roles.
"I
lived with Nick for two years. Tramel was a friend and a teammate for a
year. It's hard to make that adjustment from a friend to a coaching
role. But you got to respect those guys, they are coaches, they are
authority figures. With a lot of new guys, it's important for us older
guys that know them to show them the respect that they deserve," said
Cole Martin.

However, Martin said that it's been a positive
experience overall. "It's been great. At the start it was kind of a
friend thing, but as the season's progressed, they've taken on a bit
more of a coaching role. It's been different. It's been very challenging
at times, but at times very rewarding and fun," he said.

Even though the season has had its ups and downs, both Barnes and Smith are still feeling grateful.
"I'm
very fortunate for the position I am in right now. I learn new things
every day. That's just the grind of coaching," said Barnes.